PreprintReviewVersion 1Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed
Commercial Topical Probiotics for the Skin Microbiome: The Majority Do Not Contain Live Microbes and May Not Satisfy Criteria for Safe and Effective Use
Version 1
: Received: 8 October 2022 / Approved: 9 October 2022 / Online: 9 October 2022 (03:34:01 CEST)
How to cite:
Wallen-Russell, C.; Wallen-Russell, S. Commercial Topical Probiotics for the Skin Microbiome: The Majority Do Not Contain Live Microbes and May Not Satisfy Criteria for Safe and Effective Use. Preprints2022, 2022100105. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202210.0105.v1
Wallen-Russell, C.; Wallen-Russell, S. Commercial Topical Probiotics for the Skin Microbiome: The Majority Do Not Contain Live Microbes and May Not Satisfy Criteria for Safe and Effective Use. Preprints 2022, 2022100105. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202210.0105.v1
Wallen-Russell, C.; Wallen-Russell, S. Commercial Topical Probiotics for the Skin Microbiome: The Majority Do Not Contain Live Microbes and May Not Satisfy Criteria for Safe and Effective Use. Preprints2022, 2022100105. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202210.0105.v1
APA Style
Wallen-Russell, C., & Wallen-Russell, S. (2022). Commercial Topical Probiotics for the Skin Microbiome: The Majority Do Not Contain Live Microbes and May Not Satisfy Criteria for Safe and Effective Use. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202210.0105.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Wallen-Russell, C. and Samuel Wallen-Russell. 2022 "Commercial Topical Probiotics for the Skin Microbiome: The Majority Do Not Contain Live Microbes and May Not Satisfy Criteria for Safe and Effective Use" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202210.0105.v1
Abstract
In this paper we aim to help topical probiotics research and development achieve its potential as an incredible future solution for skin problems by investigating whether the current products on the market satisfy criteria for safe and effective use on the skin microbiome. As previously defined, this includes whether they use microbes known to be part of a healthy skin microbiome and in healthy amounts. In addition, we evaluate whether they contain live microbes, and therefore can be classified as probiotics according to the WHO’s definition. Using recent market analysis at least 84% of products do not contain live microbes. Of the products that appeared to use live microbes, they contained those used in research and development of probiotics for the gut. Due to the varying composition of each person’s microbiome, there is not a one size fits all probiotic solution. Personalisation of probiotics products is essential to satisfy the criteria for safe and effective use, but none of the products on the market, understandably, offer this. Upsetting the delicate ecosystem balance of the skin microbiome could have damaging effects and regulation could help to stop a loss of trust between consumers and cosmetics industry. Future work will perform an in-depth evaluation of the topical probiotics on the market in the EU, USA, and Canada. We will also investigate how to move the topic closer to achieving its potential by updating the criteria, including by discussing how to measure the success of a probiotic solution.
Biology and Life Sciences, Immunology and Microbiology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
